Loose-leaf binder.



H. G. MILLER. LoosB LEAP BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4, 1907. @23,5720 n Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

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HENRY C. MILLER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO H. C. MILLER COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

Application led November e, 1907. Serial No. 400,50.

To (LH 'whom it 11u14/ concern.'

13e it known that I, HENRY C. Minnen, a citizen of the United States, and resident of ivlilwaukce, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful lniprovements in Loose- Leaf Binders; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

The improvements relate to a species of loose-leaf binders in which a pair of parallel rockable rods are provided at intervals of their length with approximately semi-circular prongs for engagement with perforations in the leaves to be bound, the outer ends of the prongs of one rod being normally in match fit with like ends of the prongs of the companion rod to form arches on which the bound leaves are turned; the object of the invention being to provide simple economical binders of the kind described, to insure snug closing of the arches therein and to facilitate the operation of the prong-carrying rods, said invention consisting in certain structural peculiarities of such a binder hereinafter fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims constituting part of this specification.

Figure l of the drawings represents a plan view of an open loose-leaf binder in accordance with my invention having rod-bearings thereof partly broken away and rod prongs in section, Fig. 2, an end view of same, and Figs. 3 and #I partly sectional detail views respectively indicated by line 3-4 in Fig. I, and illustrating a closed and open lea arch of said binder.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A indicates each of the sides and B the back of the binder-cover, this cover being of the ordinary construction common in the art. Fastened to the back B, by any suitable means, is a stiff bearing-plate@ for a pair of parallel spring rods D, each provided at intervals of its length with approximately semi-circular prongs E for engagement with perforations in the leaves to be bound. The prongs of one rod pair with those of the companion rod, and it being desirable to have the outer ends of the opposing prongs interlock, when the same are brought together to form arches on which the bound leaves are turned, said prongs of one series are shown beveled on both sides at their outer ends to forni tongues engageable with corresponding grooves shown in the outer ends of those of the other series.

Suitably bent clips F are fastened to the plate O to hold the rods D in bearing contact with the same, and opposing inner lateral lugs Gr of said rods are shown in rocking tongue-and-groove engagement to constitute a toggle-joint between the aforesaid rods, this being an important feature of the invention. Outer lateral stop-lugs H are preferable in connection with the rods, and said rods are also preferably provided with opposite cranks I, these cranks serving to facilitate the operation of the aforesaid rods.

The disposition of the toggle-lugs Gr is such that the opening and closing o'f the arches aforesaid is against spring-resistance of the rods D, that bow between their bearings when the toggle-joint is extended, the action in either direction being sudden and automatic when said lugs cross the horizontal plane between rod-centers, and the position of the stop-lugs H is such that the opening of said arches is limited because of the opposition of the plate C to said stop-lugs.

From the foregoin it will be understood that the toggle-joint Iietween the rods D insures snug closing of the leaf-arches of the binder, -lost motion between the paired prongs constituting said arches being impossible.

By thumb-pressure between the cranks I of the rods D, the leaf arches are readily opened, and thumb-and-nger pressure on said cranks serves to as readily close said arches, the 'binder `as a whole being strong, durable and devoid of the faults of looseleaf binders as ordinarily constructed.

I claim:

I. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of parallel rockable spring rods in toggle-j oint union, fixed bearings for the rods that bow between their bearin'gs when the toggle-joint is extended, and leaf receiving prongs extending from said rods, each prong constituting a section of an arch on which the bound leaves are turned.

2. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of parallel rockable spring rods in toggle-joint union and provided with outer stop-lugs, fixed bearings for the rods that bow between their bearings when the toggle-joint is extended, and leaf receiving prongs extending from said rods, each prong constituting a section lel rockable sp of an arch on which the bound leaves are turned.

3. In a loose leaf binder,.a pair of'parallel rockable spring rods, in toggle-joint union and provided with end-cranks, fixed bearings for the rods that bow between their bearings when the toggle-joint is extended, and.-

leaf receivingprongs extending frein said rods, each prong constltutmg a sectlon of an arch on which the bound leaves are turned.

4. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of paralring rods having fixed bear ings, toggle-joint union, outer stoplugs,\endA cranks and leaf receiving prongs; each prong constituting a section of an arch on which the bound leaves are'turned, there being bow of the rods between their bearings when the toggle-joint is extended.

5. I n a loose-leaf binder, a back-plate, a

'pair of parallel rockable spring rods in togtended.

6. In a loosesleaf binder, a back-plate, a pair of parallel rockable spring rods in toggle-joint union on the plate and provided with leaf receiving prongs veach of Whichl constitutes a section of an arch on which v with end-cranks, clips arranged in connection with the plate to hold the rods thereto and leaf receiving prongs carried by said rods, each prong'constituting a section of an arch `on which the bound leaves areturned, there being bow of the rods between their bearings when the toggle-joint is extended.

8. In a loose-leaf binder, a pair of parallel rockable spring devices havin ings, end cranks and leaf receiving prongs, each of which' prongs constitutes a section of an arch on which the bound leaves are turned, and means in connection With'the rockable devices for holding the saine against automatic movement when said arches are closed or opened, there being bow of said devices between their bearings when the arches are open.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin in the presence of two witnesses. HENRY-C. MILLER. lVitnesses:

N. E. OLIPHANT, GEORGE FELBER.

fixed bear- 

